Anti-Austerity Demo:
Fuel to the Fire

London’s streets have always been a stage for public dissent, and this anti-austerity demonstration was no exception. I was commissioned by Vice Media to document the action as it unfolded - what began as chants and placards quickly turned theatrical, with protestors setting fire to signs reading “Tories Out”.

The fire drew swift attention from the police, who moved in with extinguishers - only to escalate the spectacle. Smoke, soggy cardboard, and a certain amount of chaos followed, met with cheers and laughter from the crowd.

It was raw, reactive, and unmistakably London. A moment of modern protest where symbolism met slapstick - captured in real time.

(Click Images to enlarge)
Person standing near a burning pile of protest signs and posters during a demonstration on a city street.
Protesters gather around a burning pile of political signs on a city street during a protest, with many people taking photos and videos. There are trees and a lamp post in the background.
People standing around a burning pile of wood and debris on a street during a protest or demonstration.
Scene of a protest with police officers in yellow safety vests and a large crowd of protesters in the background. There is a small fire burning on the street among scattered debris and trash.
Police officers in bright yellow jackets and caps disperse protesters using colored smoke in a crowded demonstration.
A protest scene with police officers in yellow jackets, a person holding a Guy Fawkes mask, and a crowd of protesters in the background holding signs and cameras, with tear gas or smoke in the air.
Protesters holding signs during a demonstration. One sign has bright green and pink text that says 'FUCK THE FUCKING FUCKERS' with a heart symbol. Another sign shows a graphic of planes with Bitcoin symbols and bombs.
A group of photographers with cameras and equipment are gathered outdoors at an event, with many people in the background, some filming or taking photos.
Protesters sitting in front of police officers in riot gear during a demonstration, with some holding signs, on a city street.
A person wearing a large mascot head resembling a cartoon character with a smiling face and blue hair, holding a sign that says "Never have so few owed so many." A police officer stands nearby with arms crossed, in front of a black iron gate and ston
A group of protesters holding signs in front of a historic government building. The signs include slogans such as "SMASH TORY AUSTERITY" and "FREE EDUCATION TAX THE RICH." The protesters are diverse, and the scene appears to be a demonstration for so
Group of police officers in uniform standing on a city street, with one officer speaking to the group, a red double-decker bus nearby, and historic buildings in the background.
A group of police officers in uniform standing together during a protest or public gathering. They are engaging with a civilian wearing a white hoodie and red backpack.
A person in a mascot costume holding a sign that reads 'Never have so few owed so many,' standing on a city street with police officers and a double-decker bus nearby.
Group of police officers standing in a row, wearing uniforms and caps, with a man holding a camera recording or taking pictures nearby. The scene appears to be outdoors on a city street with trees and buildings in the background.
A protest sign with the message 'Save the World, Stop the Banks' featuring a drawing of the Earth wrapped by a bank building and large snake, with words like 'corruption', 'low', and 'inequality' around it.
Crowd of people holding signs and balloons during a protest or rally, with trees and a crane in the background.